5-Days Great Migration Safari & Hot-Air Balloon Experience

Overview

Witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing. This 5-day safari offers the chance to see the migration at its peak, no matter the season, along with an unforgettable hot-air balloon safari. Whether it’s the calving season in the southern Serengeti or the dramatic river crossings in the north, this safari promises jaw-dropping wildlife action year-round.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be met by your guideand transferred to your lodge in Arusha. Settle in and relax after your journey, enjoying a pre-safari briefing and dinner at the lodge.

Seasonal Migration Safari

Day 2: Arusha to Serengeti National Park (Depending on Migration Location)
Depart early from Arusha and fly directly to the Serengeti National Park, where the Great Migration is currently taking place. Depending on the time of year, you’ll be transferred to either the northern, central, or southern Serengeti. Spend the afternoon on a game drive, watching in awe as large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains, with predators such as lions and cheetahs following closely behind. Overnight at a luxurious tented camp.

• December to March: Southern Serengeti and Ndutu Plains (calving season)

• April to June: Central Serengeti and Western Corridor (migration movement towards the north)

• July to October: Northern Serengeti, near the Mara River (river crossings)

• November: Central Serengeti (migration returning south)

  Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
  After breakfast, set off for a full day of exploration in the Serengeti. Witness the awe-inspiring migration as wildebeest fill the horizon. Depending on the season, you might see dramatic river crossings, newborn calves, or massive herds grazing across the plains. Your experienced guide will take you to prime viewing locations, ensuring you get the best vantage points for photography and wildlife observation. Enjoy a bush lunch in the heart of the wilderness before continuing your game drive. Overnight at the same tented camp.

  Day 4: Hot-Air Balloon Safari & Game Drive
  Rise before dawn for the experience of a lifetime—a sunrise hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti. Glide silently over the savannah, watching the wildlife below as the sun rises, casting golden light across the landscape. From above, you may spot elephants, giraffes, lions, and of course, the vast herds of migrating wildebeest. After landing, celebrate with a traditional champagne breakfast in the bush. Spend the rest of the day on a game drive, returning to your camp in the evening.

  Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Return to Arusha
  After a final morning game drive, soaking in the last views of the Serengeti, you’ll be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, you can relax at a day-use lodge or explore the town before your international flight home.

  Migration Seasons and Locations:

  1. December to March – Southern Serengeti and Ndutu Plains

     • Calving season, where over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born. Predators are active, and the landscape is lush.

  2. April to June – Central Serengeti and Western CorridorHerds start moving northwards, passing through the central Serengeti and the western corridor towards the Grumeti River.

  3. July to October – Northern Serengeti and Mara River

     • The famous Mara River crossings take place, where wildebeest and zebras brave the crocodile-infested waters as they cross into the Masai Mara.

  4. November – Central Serengeti

     • The migration begins its return to the southern plains, moving through the central Serengeti and setting the stage for the next calving season.

       Note:The Great Migration follows a cyclical pattern, but wildlife can be unpredictable. This itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted based on migration movement, weather conditions, and other factors to ensure the best possible experience. The balloon safari is weather-dependent.